The Biggies September 29, 2009

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”

Have you ever heard someone pray this verse over a physical need? It might sound something like this:
“Oh, God – You have said You can do more than we can ask or imagine, so we are just trusting You to not only pay the bills, but fill up the bank account!”

Haven’t we all passionately prayed that way at one point or another?

Here’s the funny thing about Ephesians 3:20. Paul isn’t talking about the daily stuff of life, like what we’ll eat, or wear, or where we’ll lay our heads down at night. This verse is all about the biggies.

What, you might ask, could be bigger than a roof over someone’s head or food to fill their stomach? For the answer, let’s look at the verses that directly precede this verse:

Eph 3:16-19 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Paul’s prayer puts first things first. If we can grasp God’s love and take hold of His power, we can meet life’s daily challenges with grace. Spiritual blessings like those that Paul is describing will carry us through any and every physical challenge that life may bring.

So, in what area do you most need to experience the overflow of Christ today? Can you identify a spiritual blessing that you would like to better understand or receive today? Ask God to meet you in the midst of your need and show Himself in a new way, immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.

Chilled Gatorade and Other Oddities September 23, 2009

While checking into the hotel at my last speaking engagement, something funny happened. I was given the key to room 318.

I am not a light traveler these days. Between a 9-month-old baby and all of his paraphernalia, there is really nothing efficient about the way I roll. As I hopped onto the elevator (OK – grimaced and grunted while pushing a stroller, pulling a rolling suitcase, and carrying three other bags and my drink) several other hotel guests exchanged knowing glances. It is hard to travel with a small babe. Boy was I glad the hotel would supply the pack-n-play.

I found 318, and let myself in. (Replay the grimacing and grunting as I worked to steer all of the stuff through a doorway, which proved slightly smaller than the elevator.) I was immediately delighted with the room.

To my left, a spacious bath. I stuck my head in and informed baby Nate that we had lots of room! Things were looking good. I glanced straight ahead to see a smallish black bag sitting atop the hotel desk, and wondered how pack-n-plays had gotten so much more streamlined since I purchased mine just 5 years ago.

Then, I noticed it. What a nice touch! A fruity looking Gatorade was chilling in a freshly filled ice bucket just next to the black bag. Now this, I thought…this was service! How refreshing to see hotels helping guests replenish electrolytes after hours of harrowing travel.

As I moved in to take a closer look…alas, the black bag bore a tag. The tag had…wait! The tag had a gentleman’s name. Suddenly, it all came shockingly clear to me. I’d been given a key to another individual’s room!

I spun around and let out a sigh of relief that he was not behind me. It appeared I’d just missed him; perhaps he was working out.

He wasn’t the only one…I got quite a workout as I returned (third take on grimacing and grunting) to the front desk, where the young service-person was mouthing as the elevator opened, “Oh my gosh, I am SO SORRY!!” She was only off by three digits, I learned, as I made my way back up the elevator once more. This time, my key was to room 315.

Now, there must be a sermon illustration in this somewhere, right? Help me out…what is the spiritual lesson I am missing? While you are pondering it, I leave you with this final thought:

Next time you check in to a hotel, if you are greeted with a Gatorade on ice, Do NOT…I repeat, Do NOT drink it. You might just be in my room…